Route du Nord is a very remote road with little traffic in Quebec
Located in the James Bay territory, in the central part of Quebec, in Canada, Route du Nord (North Road) is a very defiant road not really intended for regular traffic.
How long is Route du Nord?
The road is totally unpaved (sand and gravel). It’s 405km (251 miles) long running east-west from Chibougamau to the James Bay Road. It has smooth curves and hills. Watch out for the larger stones that litter parts of the road.
When was Route du Nord built?
The road was opened to traffic in November 1993. Its construction was then mainly motivated by the development of the hydroelectric project of the Eastmain-1 power station, on the Eastmain River. It is also used to transport lumber from forestry companies in the region.
Is Route du Nord open?
The road is typically open all year round, but winter weather may cause restrictions and closures due to dangerous weather conditions. The weather can be extreme in the winter (down to -40 degrees C), or even the fall or spring, so be prepared for the cold. It is on the North Road that you truly begin to feel you are entering the far north.
Is Route du Nord remote?
The isolated wilderness road is extremely remote. There is only one gas station for the entire length and there is very little traffic - most of the traffic is trucks. Use caution as these big heavy trucks travel at high speeds. There are no towns on the road except for Nemaska, which is 10 km north of this road at km 300. Cell phones do not work in this area.